Cognitive Science transfer to UC Merced
What UC Merced expects cognitive science transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Merced’s own preparation and selection rules, the TAG terms and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2026 campus admit rate
- 67.5%
- Selection criteria
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 2.80
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Merced’s fall 2026 snapshot covers all transfer applicants. It doesn’t publish admit rates by major.
What Merced expects
Cognitive Science, B.A. · Cognitive Science, B.S.
- Courses to finish
Cognitive Science requires COGS 001 or PSY 001, PSY 010, and one of MATH 005, 011 or 021 (Fall 2027). For the B.A., applicants with under 60 units are limited to MATH 005 or 011. Source
- Selection
UC Merced requires a minimum 2.4 GPA for California residents (2.8 for nonresidents). Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts majors allow no D or F grades in major coursework and at most two in non-major coursework (Fall 2027). Required courses need a C or better. Source
- Also note
Course numbers are UC Merced's own. The page directs community college students to ASSIST.org for equivalent courses. Source
Cognitive Science is not among the SSHA pilot majors that waive major-specific criteria through Fall 2027. Source
- Every Merced major
UC Merced's Fall 2027 major preparation page sets a minimum GPA of 2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for nonresidents in the Schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA). Source
UC Merced states that the primary selection criterion for junior-level transfer students is completion of the required major preparation, with GPA, grade trends, and other factors also considered. Source
Students entering UC Merced in fall 2027, 2028, or 2029 who complete an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in the major they apply to, meet the junior-level GPA requirement, and meet the other listed conditions may qualify for guaranteed admission and a $4,000 annual scholarship for up to two years. Listed ADT majors include Biological Sciences (B.A. and B.S.), Anthropology, History, Political Science, Liberal Studies, and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Source
TAG for this major
UC Merced’s TAG covers cognitive science for fall 2027 at a 2.80 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer. All Merced majors are open to TAG, and Cognitive Science is a School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts major at the 2.8 minimum with set prerequisite courses.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Merced.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Selection criteria | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Yes | No TAG |
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | None stated | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | Yes | 3.20 |
| UC Santa Cruz | Yes | 3.00 |
Other majors at UC Merced
- Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Official links
- UC Merced transfer admissionsadmissions.ucmerced.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Mercedassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Merced for cognitive science?
UC Merced requires a minimum 2.4 GPA for California residents (2.8 for nonresidents). Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts majors allow no D or F grades in major coursework and at most two in non-major coursework (Fall 2027). Required courses need a C or better. A TAG needs at least a 2.80.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Merced for cognitive science?
Cognitive Science requires COGS 001 or PSY 001, PSY 010, and one of MATH 005, 011 or 021 (Fall 2027). For the B.A., applicants with under 60 units are limited to MATH 005 or 011. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Can I get a TAG for cognitive science at UC Merced?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 2.80 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.